Jim

Dave, A simple fix to a simple problem is to dye the outside of the wrist bands with two coats of Fiebing's Oil Dye and then seal them with Fiebing's Resolene. The photo shows a gun belt I made for a Lady in Fort Worth that was dyed and sealed in just such a way. Notice that she's wearing white denim jeans? Any rub off? Nuff said, have fun.

What's the first thing I tell folks when they ask the best way to store thier leather wares? "DON'T leave it in dark and possibly damp areas for any length of time." What did I do? I left a bunch of my stuff in storage in Dahlonega Georgia for about seven years. (In my own defense, I got back as soon as I could.) Well, last month I was finally able to make the trip, and when I opened the door my initial response came out something like "Holy dust bunnies Batman!" As I made my way through and was boxing stuff up, I came across two Cartridge Boxes I made back in 98. There were covered with mildew and I figured they were ruined for sure. (My response was not quite so mild as Holy Dust Bunnies.) Today I finally got around to letting them sit in the sun for a couple of hours to kill the mildew, got out the Lexol, and a sponge to see what I could do. As I whipped the 1812 Box with the damp sponge it came clean a whistle. "Stop!" I said "I want photos!!" So I took some before and after shots of the two to show what they looked like then and now. (Note: no Lexol was used - just warm water!) These Cartridge Boxes were dyed with Fiebing's Oil Dye and then sealed with Fiebing's Resolene eight years ago and have been in storage for seven of those. After they were cleaned off, the finish looks as good as when they were first made. A tribute to a fine product from Fiebing.

That's just too dang cool for shoes! I love miniature work!

Beautifully done Tom! I love the way you used the Concho to secure the buckle as opposed to sewing it in. Well done!

If you have your heart set on making a holster that fits, think a bit on "how do I know how wide the leather has to be?" (And this goes for any weight of leather) Take a 1" wide by 12" long strap of the leather of choice and then, if adding a Liner, bond a piece of the Liner leather to it. Draw a line 1/2" from a squared end and then use this to measure the pistol by placing the Mark at the edge of the trigger gaurd and then wrap the Strap around the cylinder. Make a pencil mark on the other end of the strap where it meets the end of the Marked End. Measure from the Marked End to the New Mark and this is how wide the Holster leather needs to be for a Lined Holster. Allow 3/16" from the edges of the shaped leather for the stitches, and you have one that will fit. Oh yeah, did I mention to make a pattern first? Holler at me.

I really hope I'm not sticking my foot in my mouth, here. Dyeing veg tan to a true black isn't and shouldn't be rocket science. I've seen several discussions about it and "rub off" is the major concern. I've never had that problem and I can't be that lucky [all the time] so maybe I'm doing something right. Okay, now that I'm out on the end of the limb . . . . First off, Daubers are too slow and unreliable for a complete coverage. I recommend cutting a Wool Applicator from Sheep Shealing. A 3" diameter applicator works good for large areas and a 2" dia. one works well for the small ones. Be sure to cut the wool down to about 3/8" or 1/2" in length to prevent the "dribble effect." Apply the Oil Dye (recommended) in two coats and let dry. As suggested, control it to keep it off the backside. Once dry, apply a coat of Resolene with a damp sponge and leave it set for about 30 minutes to an hour. This seals the dye and allows the leather to be used without cracking the finish. Also, rub off is out of the picture. As you can see in the photo, the leather is very black and she is wearing white clothes. Just my 2 cents.

Hey guys, Hide Crafters has a new batch of patterns that are holster and belt sets. Three of them are new shoulder holster patterns that are improved versions of the Brazos Jack. All of these include patterns for three sizes of holsters from 5 1/2" to 7 1/2" barrel lengths. They also include the Cross Draw pattern. All sets show the Lining Process in great detail which demonstrates how to make a holster without having to wet mold the thing. Making a Gun Belt has never been easier! I have created a Size Chart based on measurements taken from a variety of people of different sizes. It shows Pant Size, Buckle to Center Hole, and Belt Length so you can double check measurements while making the belt. The Belt Templates place the Billets at a specific distance from the ends to ensure the belt fits correctly every time. Sizes range from 28" to 52" Pant sizes. For those who want to design and make one from scratch; YeeHaa has the pattern making and lining instructions in the Holster Section. I recommend the CD Gunleather along with it because it shows how to add the Liner in greater detail than the book. (It's hard to do that with pencil drawings.) Also, George finally talked me into shooting a video. Have fun!

Hmmm, sounds like a job for Superman!! K.W. Allen has a good deal of experience with this sort of thing, not to mention is a superb holster Maker, especially for automatics. I'd get a hold of him on this. Jim

Ahh, I found it! I had to add some text to make it a litle easier to follow, so here (for all to enjoy) in The Brick Layer's Guide to the Basket Weave. Have fun Basket_Weave.pdf Basket_Weave.pdf

OOO Barbed Wire . . . .done that. It wasn't so hard. (Must of been from all that barbed wire I strung when I was on the ranch.) Tri Weave . . . . . uh, I don't know if I have enough hair left after learning the basket weave. I think I still have the "brick layer's" version on PDF somewhere. I'll send you a copy.

Hi Johanna! Been a while. A most gracious Thank You for your comments. You know I have always admired your work as well. As far as being modest, I have to be. I haven't quite reached that "artist" plato yet. Oh, by the way, I did mention Basket Weave, didn't I. Ya know, long story about that. Last year a Deputy here in the county wanted a holster made with a Basket Weave, so being the sort to stick my foot in my mouth and crawl out on a limb, I said "Sure, I can do that." After all, how hard can it be? (I said to myself.) Whoops! What did I get myself into? After several attempts and it continuosly falling apart, I was ready to sell the tools to whoever for $5.00. Then Teresa at Hide Crafters commented that it was just like laying bricks. BRICKS! Of course! So I created my own way of starting the first run, and it worked. The only problem with it is that can only do the "straight run" weave, but a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing. Below is a couple of the holster and belts done with my "off the wall" basket weave. They ain't perfect, but I was happy with them. The first is the first attempt at doing this on a holster and belt. It was quite the learning experience, which I applied to the second which was custom made for Andy Fink, aka Chucky, who is the Editor in Chief of Shoot Magazine. These are my "Lightning" design which make for some fine Fast Draw and Mounted Shooting holsters. Thanks to Randall Gustafson who introduced me to Block Dying, I was able to apply that to the second one to give it some Styyyyyle! As for where to get the patterns, Hide Crafters is still the place. George and the gang have been very good to me and I owe them a great debt of gratitude for their efforts. Okay, Ive bored you long enough, time to go back to work. See ya.

Here are a couple of shots of a Holster and Gun Belt Set I designed and published in a new Pattern Pack. This is one of 9 new patterns I have recently sent to Hide Crafters and are now available. You have to forgive the lack of carving because I just started adding border designs and Basket Weaves and don't have a lot of practice at it yet. . . . . but the day ain't over! See ya,

Hmm . . . . let's see if this works. Yep. it works! Thanks Johanna

Hi Tom, After seeing how the Straps are set up in the Pattern Set you bought, I think you will agree that this is the simplest way to go for Shoulder Holsters that are used for all kinds of shooting. I have personally tested this set up in Gunfights while performing with the Texas Gunslingers and it works! Oh yeah, I'll get that new pattern to you as soon as I see Billy and get his "cannon." Have fun